Geneva's Stamping Designs

J-O-Y

This is a project I've had in mind to do for a long time, but just haven't.  The details just never came together.  I saw something similar to this - at least the words - as a child.  Someone had given my cousin these words in a small little frame.  They resonated and stuck with me for all these years.  I thought about  making it for a 4X6 frame, but wanted the 3-D effects..... Then I started making these Easel Cards and this came to me!

The other ingredient to this card is My Digital Studio, the computer program you can get a FREE 30-day trial to use!  (EXTRA:  If you order it from ME and request them, I'll send you some special training videos!) I created the sentiment on the bottom and the letters other-than-the-first-one for the words above.  The J-O-Y is stamped with the Lovely Letters Stamp set. I used the Baroque Motifs stamp set for the background on the Wisteria Wonder card stock and on the "flower" punched with the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch.  One of the stamps in the set fits perfectly!

I've always thought I'd do this and make one for our pastor, but I guess I'll have to make another one for him, I don't think he'd like the Concord Grape/Wisteria Wonder combination I used here!  I have a retired "western" set in mind and now that I've done one, it should go faster, I think.....  Meanwhile, this is on MY desk to remind ME!

Don't forget that Stampin' UP! is offering a 30-day trial of My Digital Studio for FREE.  If you buy this from me, I'll send you a thank you email that will allow you to sign up to receive some FREE training videos during that 30 days.

Free-Free-Free - what more could you want?  Take the leap and try it! Leave comments below.

Happy Stamping!

Birthday Greetings

Yesterday was my youngest daughter's birthday.   This is the card I made for her.  This sentiment is from the Perfect Punches Stamp set (everything fits a punch!)  I trimmed this one though (around the line!), so it would then fit on the Melon Mambo card stock punched out with the Extra Large Oval Punch.

If you notice, this follows Stamping 411's sketch from yesterday also.  It seemed to fit the sentiment.  I used Melon Mambo card stock for the base and Wild Wasabi card stock for the top.  The Designer Series Paper used is from the Beyond the Garden set. I used the 5/8" Organza Ribbon in Whisper White and the Scallop Trim Border Punch.  Oh, and one of those Beautiful Wings Embosslit Butterflies flew out of my drawer again!  Cute, but basic card, but this IS a special person to me, so maybe it needs more....

Yes, it's another Easel Card.  I LOVE making these.  So easy and yet so eye-catching.  This sentiment from the Smarty Pants stamp set  is really what I designed the card around.  It fits this fun loving, motorcycle riding, child perfectly!  I punched the sentiment with the Extra Large Oval Punch, and trimmed off the excess at the top.  I backed it with a piece of Melon Mambo card stock punched out with the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch and trimmed as needed.

If you need supplies to make this, or any other, card, don't forget this is SALE-A-BRATION!  For every $50.00 you spend, you get FREE stuff!! Host a workshop and get more, join the Stampin' UP! famly and get even more!!!  I'd love you to join my team!  Just leave a comment or shoot me an email for more details!

Happy Stamping!

Stamping 411 Challenge # 243

 

This my version of Stamping 411's challenge this week.  Here is their sketch.

The card base is Peach Parfait.  The Designer Series Paper is Just Add Cake.  I used the Eyelet Border Punch with Wild Wasabi card stock and then a layer of Poppy Parade card stock.  (Just to be honest--- there are two layers of Poppy Parade on this card, because when I added adhesive to the back, I added it to the front instead!, then I add the little Daffodil Delight 1/8" ribbon to cover up the "mistake"!  I like it!)

The maid focal point ribbon is 3/8" Taffeta in Crumb Cake.  The stamp is from the set called Little Lambs.  I've had this set for awhile, and haven't found just the right way to use it.  I think it fits perfectly with this sketch! I backed it with the CUrly Label Punch in WIld Wasabi card stock and backed that with the Decorative Label Punch in the Poppy Parade card stock.

I've told you before, I think that I have a group of butterflies cut from scraps using the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die.  They are in the drawer next to my work space and Look!  they flew out and onto this card!  It's feeling like spring around here, they may fly out onto more projects!  I love butterflies and the sketch does have one!!!!

That's it, that's my card for this week's challenge.  However, tomorrow is my youngest daughter's birthday, so look for her card on Wednesday to see another take on this sketch. (couldn't post it before she gets it, could I?) Then, as I went to bed, I thought, "this is the perfect sketch to use with the Sincere Salutations Stamp set!"  You could make a bunch and just add the greeting to match the need!

Try this sketch and let me know if you play along.

Happy Stamping!

 

3 things I love about Being a Stamping Business Owner

I was recently challenged to tell you three things I love about being a Stamping Business Owner.  The first thing I love about being a Stamping Business Owner is that I have so much fun that I often forget it is a BUSINESS!  Stamping and creating; meeting and spending time with wonderful folks makes this the most enjoyable job EVER!

The second thing I love about being a Stamping Business Owner is the support that I get from Stampin’ Up!, especially on the Demonstrator Support phone line.  Every time I have a question, someone pleasant (you can almost see their smile!) walks me through whatever information I need.  No one has ever acted like I’m a stupid person because I ask silly questions.  Everyone is patient and kind and seems to have a wonderful sense of humor! – Like me – haha!

The third thing I love about being a SBO is the products.  Stampin’ Up! has, in my opinion, the highest quality of stamping products I’ve seen.   I can FEEL the difference in texture and weight of Stampin’ Up! papers, both solid card stock and print “scrapbook” papers (Designer Series and Scrappin’ Kits).  I can SEE the difference the quality of rubber and padding make in the stamps –both wood and clear mount – and the difference this makes in the stamped images.  I love the way the colors match within the product lines, paper, inks, markers, buttons, ribbons, etc. match, black is black and real red is real red--- in EVERYTHING! I love the coordination of stamp sets and punches to match.  Finally, I love the dies and the Big Shot!  They take “paper crafting” to a whole new “crafting” level.  For me that’s wonderful!

Can you tell I love being a Stamping Business Owner?  If you think you’d love this also, let me know.  If you join the Stampin’ Up! family before March 30, 2012, you will get a LOT of extra free things from the Sale-a-Bration promotion – besides the discount and the chance to make some money! (who wouldn’t like that?)  A-N-D--- if you try it and decide you don’t like, just say so and drop out.  No hard feelings!  I hope you’ll take this opportunity!  I think you'll be glad you did.

I'll be back next week with more crafting ideas!   Meanwhile, YOU keep crafting and let me know how I can help!

Happy Stamping!

Guest

This is a picture my friend, Debbie Worley, sent me of a wreath she created with scrapbook paper.  It is NOT all Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper, but I love her and will forgive her!

To make this wreath, she cut strips of paper 12 inches long by one and one-half inches wide and strips of paper 10 inch long by one and one-half inch wide.  She cut a triangle in the ends of each. Then she wrapped them around the form and stapled them.  She put the longer ones on first and then filled in with the shorter ones.  She thinks she used about 47 strips of the longer (12") and 36 strips of the shorter (10").  So you would need about 10 sheets of scrapbook paper.  Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper packages come 12 to a package!  You could make a wreath, hang it on your craft room door and still have 2 sheets for scrapbooks or making cards!

Debbie blogs at Your Inner Layer (http://yourinnerlayer.wordpress.com/)  She's one of the few bloggers I follow regularly (mostly because she's my friend and they show up on Facebook!).  She's especially helpful to mom's of young children as she shares her struggles and joys in raising 2 young boys and faces health issues.  I"m not raising anyone anymore (if you ever get to really quit - MY mom says you don't!) but I can identify with her articles.  I wish someone could have helped me when I WAS raising kids---that's really a Back to the Future moment, isn't it? How we live life has changed, but parent's still struggle with the age old "am I doing it right?" question.  Debbie's words help.  Check her out.

Meanwhile, go clear out your supplies and try making a wreath of your own.  Or place an order and get some gorgeous Designer Series Paper for that "perfect" wreath!  Add to it, Change it up, Make it your own.  I know what I'm going to do when I get the chance, but FIRST.... I"m finishing up the OTHER projects I've started!  lol!

Happy Stamping!

 

Fun Flowers

Need some fun flowers to pick up your day and make you smile?  Know someone else who could use a few?  These paper flowers are cut with the Fun Flowers Big XL Die for the Big Shot.

This is another of those "Just Get it DONE!" projects.  I always want everything to be "perfect."  I'm learning that it's OK to not be "perfect."  One of the reasons I haven't done a bouquet of these flowers is my desire to match colors, get it right, etc.  We've had a lot of rain lately.  After a summer with barely any, we're grateful, but my yard is all turned around.  It's February, the temperature last night was at least 34 degrees, yet my thirsty plants are blooming many colors simply because God has watered them.  My water bill last summer will attest to the fact that I watered them, but now they are blooming and not one of them is "perfect!"  So I decided to just do it and not try. 

I cut a 5" strip of every kind of paper in the Just Eat Cake Designer Series Paper package.  (2 of each sheet comes in each package, I just used one of each.)  I then cut 5" strips of every color of card stock that is designed to go with that DSP collection, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Early Expresso (yes, there is brown in my yard also!), Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride and Wild Wasabi.  I ran all of these through the BIg Shot with the Fun Flower Die in 2 runs.  I LOVE the fact that the Big Shot will cut multiple pieces of paper at a time when no scoring is involved.

Then I separated them into stacks by shape and took a deep breath and started putting them together!  I punched a hole in the centers (I just eyeballed it!) with the Paper-Piercing Tool and the Mat underneath!  ( I don't want my glass table scratched up!) and pushed them down onto a wooden skewer like you would use on the grill for shish-kabobs.  I used a Glue Dot to put the smallest circle on the top of the skewer.  On a few of these, I tried using a retired button also.It gives it a little different look.

I put some marbles in a vase and added some silk greenery that was lying around the house.  It adds the garden green as well as "hides" the wooden sticks.  (Let the breath out.......) It may not be "perfect,"   but it's done, it's cute and it makes me smile so it's fulfilled it's purpose.  I hope it makes you smile also!  Make a few, you don't have to put them all in one vase.  Divide them up in groups of 3 or 5 and give them to teacher's, secret sisters, put some on your desk...... spray a little perfume or drops of your favorite "smelly" oil and they'll even smell good!

Here's a close up of just one:

Have a bright, happy day!  Don't forget Sale-A-Bration!  It's going by quickly and you don't want to miss these great FREE items!

Happy Stamping!

Stamping 411 Challenge # 242

Today if Valentine's Day!  Happy Heart Day everyone!  This last Valentine for 2012 may be my favorite.  I created it for Stamping 411's challenge this week, but as it went together, I liked it more and more.  I think it would make a neat "Happy Wedding Day" card also.  You could change the colors to match theirs...... endless love, endless possibilities.

Here's their sketch:

The hearts are from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and were stamped with Versa Mark ink and embossed with Melon Mambo Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool.  I then used the Paper Snips and cut them out.  The Melon Mambo card stock piece behind them was punched out with the Square Scallop Punch and then stamped all over with the rectangle image for the Clearly for You stamp set, as was the Extra Large Decorative Punch shape on the left.  I used the 5/8" White Organza Ribbon behind the punches and wrapped around the Pink Flower Brad (Glue Dots hold it in place!)  The whole thing is on a Pretty in Pink piece stamped with the En Francais Stamp using Pretty in Pink Classic Ink.

I like the way this turned out, just as it is, but I had planned an easel card for this Valentine so....

Here the En Francais stamp is stamped with Melon Mambo Classic Ink and the greeting is from the Teeny Tiny WIshes stamp set.   Put it all together with Stampin' Dimensionals (LOVE those things!) and there you have it!

I hope you all enjoy the day!  Take a moment or two to do something for YOU!  Tomorrow I'll show you the bouquet I made myself! (by and for myself.... at least till I get tired of it and pass it on....)

Happy Stamping!

 

Bold Blossoms and Love

This card could be used for Valentine's or just any occasion, depending on what you say on the inside!  I used the Bold Blossom stamp set and matching punch for the flower and added a little Dazzling Diamonds.  The words are rolled with the Jumbo Wheel and I (love) love wheel.  I just cut out the part that I wanted to use.  The card base and the ink are Rose Red.  The flowers are stamped on Pink Piroutte and the leaves and backing are Pear Pizzaz!  Fast and Easy!

Hope you are planning on a wonderful Valentine's Day.  Take the time to tell your family "I love you!"  Everytime a comment is left here, I feel loved, so feel free to leave one anytime!  I love hearing from my readers.

Happy Stamping!

Catch-up Sunday

Yesterday's post was on procrastination.  I told you that one of my personal goals is to finish projects started and put aside.  Do you have projects like that?  Today's post is an encouragement to finish those!  Valentine's is Tuesday.  Give yourself the gift of a finished something - anything.  It could be a card, a scrapbook, a quilt, a book or simply cleaning the bathroom.  Do SOMETHING that will make YOU feel good!

Meanwhile, don't forget that this is SALE-A-BRATION for Stampin' Up!  It's a great time to stock up on items you'll need to finish more projects! (or to start new ones!lol!) and get FREE items.  Take advantage of this opportunity.  Speaking of opportunities, it's also a great time to join the Stampin' Up! family.  If you do, you get even more FREE things during the year!  I'd love to have you join my team.  Just let me know!

Happy Stamping!

Procrastination and Simply Adorned

Have you ever procrastinated on something, feeling unequal to the task?  A couple of years ago Stampin' Up! released a limited line of jewelry products called Simply Adorned.  I ordered this pendant (without the insert!) and chain.  Periodically, I've looked at them and wondered what to do.  I look at the pictures in the catalog and think they are so pretty, but I don't like to just copy........  Besides, my daughter began to make jewelry about the same time and I don't want to be seen as "competing" with her! (at least that's what I told myself!)

One of my personal goals this year is to finish many of the "unfinished" projects I've either started and not finished, or simply bought the components for, and gotten side-tracked.  This is one of those projects.  So I sat down and made myself do this.  It's small, so "layering" has to be more with ink than with paper (another technique I'm not completely comfortable with!).  Stampin' Up! has some stamp sets that are designed to be used on small projects.  This one is from the Clearly for You set.  It has several images that I think are adorable - but tiny!  It's hard to see in this picture, but I stamped one image in Pear Pizzaz Classic Ink and then stamped the flowers over that in Rich Razzelberry Classic Ink.  I colored them in with Stamp 'n Write markers of the same colors.  The word is from the Three Little Words stamp set.  I used the Rich Razzelberry Stamp 'n Write marker to ink in just the word.  Then I added one of the tiniest butterflies cut with the Beautiful Wings Embosslet Die and the BIg Shot. 

Finally, a project finished...... right?  Wrong!  This pendant is glass on both sides!  So here's what I did for side 2!

I used a small scrap of the Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper for the background and added some more of those butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die. Fairly simple to do and I kind of like it.  What do you think?

Then for the chain.  This chain looks like a chain!  It's really not very pretty or dainty.  I know it has to hold the weight of the pendant, but still.......  I looked at it and decided to try adding some ribbon.  I cut a strip of Blushing Bride 1/2 inch Stitched Poly Ribbon approximately one and half times the length of the chain and threaded it threw those big loops.  Then I tied a knot on each end.  I had to trim the ribbon down a few times due to fraying caused by forcing it in the smaller holes, but I like this look better, I think. 

The pendant has a spring hook to attach it to the chain.  The Simply Adorned Line has some other charm items that can be added.  Maybe now I'll get some!

Because it's hard to get a good picture threw the glass, I tried to take some outside of the necklace.  You can see the details a little better, but they are darker than reality.  (The background paper is really WHITE!)

Let me know what you think.   I'd love to know.  The jury's still out in my mind but I'm not afraid to try again-----just not today! lol!

Happy Stamping!